Each Sunday, NASCAR Cup Series drivers have the opportunity to make history and join the ranks of racing legends. For Ryan Blaney, preparing for these fiercely competitive events goes far beyond physical warm-ups or motivational talks. Ahead of the Nashville Superspeedway race in May, Blaney shared details about his preparation routine, which centers heavily on the use of racing simulators and extensive strategic planning.
As the 2023 Cup Series champion and currently seventh in the standings with a playoff spot secured, Blaney emphasized the critical role that simulator sessions play in his race readiness. He explained that each manufacturer—Ford, Chevy, and Toyota—operates their own state-of-the-art simulators that replicate racetracks with stunning accuracy.
Blaney remarked,
“Each manufacturer has them. So, Ford, Chevy, and Toyota have one. They all scan all these racetracks. They go out there with this big machine and scan them. It scans every little bump and crevice on the racetrack to try to get that as accurately as they can. So, a lot of guys do that to prepare.”
—Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Driver
Studying Past Races and Strategy Sessions
In addition to simulator practice, Blaney and his team dedicate significant time to analyzing past races. Watching film footage allows them to observe how events unfolded previously, enabling better anticipation of race dynamics. Close collaboration between Blaney, his engineers, and crew chiefs forms another crucial part of this preparation, focusing on assessing prior car setups and determining adjustments for improved performance.
He added,
“We’ll watch films of previous races. Kind of just see how it played out. A lot of meetings with me, my engineers, and crew chiefs on how they did the race work last year. Work on how we were set up, what do we change going back to be better. So, there’s a lot of that prep work. It’s a lot of preparation. A lot more than people realize.”
—Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Driver
The Influence of Spotters in Understanding Competitors
Spotters are essential members of any race team, acting as the driver‘s eyes from above and offering critical input during the race. Blaney discussed their role in monitoring competitors, yet noted that drivers themselves tend to have a stronger grasp of rival tactics due to repeated encounters on the track.
He explained,
“I’d say that the drivers know that more than the spotters. The spotters will know a little bit about what the other drivers’ tendencies are, but we race the same guys every week. So, as you run around these guys more and more, I know what this guy’s tendencies are.”
—Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Driver
This familiarity allows Blaney to better predict how other drivers may behave, which is a valuable advantage during high-pressure race moments.
The Significance of Blaney’s Preparation Approach
Ryan Blaney’s detailed focus on simulator-driven practice, comprehensive race analysis, and deep awareness of competitor behavior exemplifies the intense level of preparation that top NASCAR drivers undertake. His methodical approach not only sharpens his own performance but also reflects the evolving technological and strategic dimensions shaping modern stock car racing. As the season progresses, such dedication is likely to contribute to his continued success on the track.
